Chapter 8 - THE TRAPVictoria was released under police supervision after agreeing to cooperate.
Nathan didn't trust her.
Grace didn't either.
But Daniel believed they needed her.
“Marcus knows Victoria's movements,” Daniel said.
“That makes her dangerous.”
“It also makes her useful.”
Victoria looked at Nathan.
“I want to help.”
Nathan stared.
“Why?”
“Because I finally understand what I became.”
Grace watched her.
“You hurt us.”
“I know.”
“You separated a mother from her child's father.”
“I know.”
“You lied.”
“I know.”
Victoria began crying.
“I thought if I could make Nathan love me, everything would be worth it.”
Grace's expression softened slightly.
“But it wasn't.”
“No.”
Victoria looked at Lily.
“It wasn't.”
The plan was simple.
Nathan would bring a fake trust document.
Daniel would monitor the factory.
Police would surround the building.
Grace and Lily would remain hidden.
Victoria would contact Marcus.
At midnight, they entered the abandoned factory.
The building was enormous.
Broken windows.
Rusting machinery.
Dark corridors.
Nathan carried the briefcase.
Daniel stayed several yards behind.
Victoria walked beside Nathan.
Then the lights came on.
Marcus stood on the second-floor platform.
Richard was beside him.
Evelyn stood on the other side.
Nathan stopped.
“You're all here.”
Marcus smiled.
“Family reunion.”
Nathan held up the briefcase.
“Let Lily go.”
Marcus laughed.
“She isn't here.”
Nathan's heart stopped.
“What?”
Richard stepped forward.
“You brought the fake document.”
Nathan stared.
“How did you know?”
Marcus smiled.
“Because Evelyn told me.”
Nathan looked at Evelyn.
“You betrayed us again.”
Evelyn shrugged.
“You were never going to win.”
Then Daniel stepped forward.
“Actually, you are.”
Marcus turned.
Daniel held up a phone.
“Everything you've said has been recorded.”
Marcus laughed.
“You think that's enough?”
Police lights appeared outside.
Marcus's smile vanished.
But then Evelyn pressed a button.
The factory doors locked.
Smoke began filling the room.
Nathan coughed.
“Get out!”
Daniel tried the door.
Locked.
Marcus walked toward a hidden exit.
Nathan chased him.
Richard grabbed Nathan.
They struggled.
Nathan punched him.
Richard fell.
Victoria rushed toward Evelyn.
“Open the doors!”
Evelyn pushed her away.
“You were always weak.”
Victoria grabbed her.
They fought.
Grace suddenly appeared.
“Nathan!”
He turned.
She was holding Lily.
“How did you get here?”
“I followed the police.”
Nathan stared.
“You shouldn't be here.”
Grace looked at the smoke.
“We're not leaving without you.”
Marcus appeared behind her.
He grabbed Lily.
Grace screamed.
Nathan lunged.
Marcus pulled Lily toward the edge of the platform.
“Stop!”
Nathan froze.
Marcus held Lily tightly.
“She is worth billions.”
Nathan's voice shook.
“She is my daughter.”
Marcus smiled.
“That is exactly why she's valuable.”
Lily cried.
“Daddy!”
Nathan slowly raised his hands.
“Okay.”
Marcus watched him.
“Put the briefcase down.”
Nathan obeyed.
Marcus looked toward the exits.
Then suddenly Victoria attacked him.
Marcus lost his grip.
Lily fell.
Nathan caught her.
Marcus stumbled backward.
Police stormed the room.
Evelyn was arrested.
Richard was arrested.
Marcus ran.
Daniel chased him.
They disappeared through the smoke.
Nathan held Lily.
Grace collapsed beside them.
Lily buried her face against Nathan.
“Daddy.”
Nathan kissed her hair.
“I've got you.”
Then Grace noticed something.
Marcus had dropped a small envelope.
She picked it up.
Inside was an old photograph.
Nathan's father.
Marcus.
And another man.
A man Grace recognized immediately.
She stared in horror.
“Nathan.”
He looked at her.
“What?”
Grace pointed.
“That man…”
Nathan stared at the photograph.
It was his father's lawyer.
A man who had died years earlier.
But written on the back were three words.
May you like
HE IS ALIVE.
Nathan's blood ran cold.
